‘Sweaty spandex dripped in humour’ is a phrase that springs to mind when thinking of New Art Club’s show at the Assembly, ‘Big Bag of Boom’. Self-dubbed the ‘best-of’ collection, this show is a great way to experience the double act, Tom Roden and Pete Shenton, if you’ve never seen them before. When the twosome announce at the start of the performance that routines such as ‘Gnome Sex Attack’ did not make it to the final cut, it leaves you wondering what routines DID make it to the show, and nervous (in a good way) as to what you are about to observe.
Although a comedy contemporary dance show, it does not seek to poke fun at the contemporary dance movement; with Tom and Pete both coming from a choreographic and dance background, there is a relative amount of skill to support this show. Indeed, it brings the world of modern dance to those unfamiliar, cushioned by comedy to ease us in gently. The audience weeps with laughter as Tom and Pete perform routines such as ‘Girl with the Shitty Shoe’, leaping around the stage pokerfaced.
Branded the ‘Reeves and Mortimer of Contemporary Choreography,’ the on-stage chemistry between the two is an imperative ingredient to the show. Pete Shenton is an evidently skilled comedic performer, drawing similarities to the style of Julian Barratt (Mighty Boosh), and is perfectly paired with the more submissive side-kick Tom.
If you love off-the-wall humour then this show is definitely for you. Its an hour well spent with one of the most innovative and bizarre comedy shows at this years Fringe.
4/5 
Sarah Grant
(4 votes, average: 3.50 out of 5)
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